Method and system for interactive communication between two telephone sets via the internet

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns a method and system for interactive communication between at least two users each provided with a telephone set of the switched telephone network, via the Internet. Each telephone set is directly locally connected to an associated interface device. The first user, who initiates the communication, dials on his set the telephone number of the second user indicating to his interface device that he wishes to communicate via the Internet. The interface device of the first user the connects with the interface device of the second user via the Internet, the two telephone sets being rung off. Once the connection has been established via the Internet, each interface device indicates to its associated telephone set, then each of the users picks up his set and communicates interactively with his correspondent via the Internet.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a process for interactive communicationbetween two users each furnished with a telephone apparatus of theswitched telephone network, via the Internet network.

It also relates to a system implementing such a process.

It finds a particularly important although non-exclusive application inthe field of low-cost voice telephone communications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Systems are known which make it possible to use the Internet network tosend and receive voice communications in real time with an oppositeparty connected to the Internet network, thus simulating the telephone.

The attractions of these systems resides in their low cost of use forthe parties.

Access to the Internet network or to an equivalent network in factgenerally costs the price of a local connection, in order to call thelocal access provider, and a moderate monthly subscription, i.e. lessthan 100 F. a month in France in 1996.

If the connection is to a distant party, this represents a considerablesaving relative to the price of a normal connection at the long-distanceor international tariff.

However, such systems have drawbacks.

They require in fact the presence of a powerful microcomputer for eachparty, a modem and a sound card, thus considerably limiting the numberof potential users of the system.

Moreover they allow only persons having a permanent connection with theInternet network to be called directly.

In other cases, it is therefore necessary to go through the followingprocedure.

The users firstly agree on a date and time of appointment, as well as onthe Internet server which will serve as meeting point. At the prescribedmoment, the users must subsequently connect to the Internet network andthen to the predefined server.

Finally, the opposite party must be searched for in the list of users ofthis server. If his name does not appear, it is necessary to wait, itbeing possible for the communication to be set up only after thepresence of the opposite party has been detected.

This is a complex procedure.

It can be explained since the users which are not permanently connectedto the Internet network have no fixed network address (IP address). Itis therefore impossible to call them directly. The called user musttherefore be warned, beforehand, and must himself log on.

An improvement to this system is currently envisaged by variousoperators.

The caller logs on to the Internet network, then to a special servergeographically close to his destination party.

He then provides this server with the telephone number of hisdestination.

The server subsequently calls the destination and the communication canthen be set up. In certain cases, the destination need not have anyInternet equipment, the server taking charge of the interface with theconventional telephone.

However, this process also has drawbacks.

Indeed, it requires a server or local access provider capable of callinga user, this posing technical problems and connection billing problems.

This process also requires that the Internet address of the server orlocal access provider of the destination party be known, whichnecessitates that a complex routing system be set in place, or else asystem limited to a small-size destination table, of which the telephonenumber and address of the provider will have been configured by thecaller.

Finally, if the destination party changes access provider or simply hispoint of local access to the same provider, the configuration of thisdestination has to be updated for all potential callers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to provide a communication process and systemwhich are better than the prior known ones at meeting the demands ofpractice especially in that it dispenses with the requirement to use amicrocomputer and its accessories, replacing them with a smallstandalone interface device which connects between an ordinary telephoneset of the switched network and the analog or digital ordinary telephoneline.

This device thus makes it possible to supplement any telephone set withthe possibility of operating through the Internet network in anextremely simple and user-friendly manner.

The complexity of the call procedure is also eliminated by virtue inparticular of a novel way of tackling the problem.

Thus, the traditional way of ironing out a problem posed by an Internetapplication, is to search for what will enable this problem to be solvedactually within the Internet, its protocols and its services.

Thus, currently existing software has solved the call problem by using aconventional Internet service: IRC (Internet Relay Chat).

This service enables any two Internet users to be put in contact via aserver (called an IRC server). This is the call process describedearlier.

A gateway, for example, will also be used between the Internet provideror server and the destination party.

In the case of the present invention, a novel approach has been used, byputting calling and called interface devices into direct telephonecontact for a few seconds, these exchanging the information required tomeet up subsequently on the Internet network automatically orsemi-automatically.

For this purpose the invention proposes in particular a process forinteractive communication between at least two users each furnished witha telephone apparatus of the switched telephone network, via theInternet network, characterized in that, each telephone apparatus beingdirectly connected locally to an associated interface device,

a first user, the initiator of the communication, dials the telephonenumber of the second user on his telephone apparatus, for communicationvia the switched telephone network, while signalling to his associatedinterface device that he wishes a communication via the Internetnetwork,

the interface device of the first user sets up the communication withthe interface device of the second user via the Internet network, thetelephone apparatuses of the two users being on-hook,

once the communication via the Internet network has been set up, eachinterface device signals this to its associated telephone apparatus,

each of the users then takes his telephone apparatus off-hook andcommunicates interactively with his opposite party via the Internetnetwork.

In advantageous embodiments, recourse is had to one or other of thefollowing provisions:

the first user hangs up his telephone apparatus immediately after havingsignalled to the associated interface device that he wishes acommunication via the Internet network, the said communication beingsubsequently set up automatically by the first interface device with thesecond interface device;

the first user obtains the telephone communication with the second uservia the switched telephone network, signals to his opposite party viathe said switched telephone network that he will continue thecommunication via the Internet network, and hands over to the interfacedevice associated with his telephone apparatus which then sets up thecommunication with the other device associated with the telephoneapparatus of the second user via the Internet network, while the saidusers respectively hang up their telephone apparatuses;

in order to communicate with one another the two interface devicesexchange a respective appointment code relating to a predefined servervia the switched telephone network, subsequently cut directcommunication via the said switched telephone network, connect to theirrespective Internet access provider and then to the said predefinedserver and search for their appointment code, obtain their respectiveaddresses (IP) on the Internet network, disconnect from the predefinedserver and then set up the telephone communication between the users viathe said Internet network;

in order to set up the communication, the first interface deviceconnects to the Internet network, obtains its address (IP) on the saidnetwork and, whilst remaining connected to the said network, sets up thecommunication with the second device via the switched telephone networkand transmits its address (IP) thereto, and then the two interfacedevices disconnect from the switched telephone network, the seconddevice connects to its Internet network access provider and then sets upthe communication with the first device by virtue of the address (IP)obtained previously via the switched telephone network, in such a way asto allow communication between the devices via the Internet network;

the communication between the users is by voice;

the communication between the users is of the video type.

The invention also proposes a system for interactive communicationimplementing the process described above.

It also relates to a system for interactive communication between atleast two users each using a telephone apparatus of the switchednetwork, via the Internet network, characterized in that the systemcomprises at least two local interface devices, each connected on oneside to the said telephone network and on the other side to a respectivetelephone apparatus, each device including:

means of storing and processing data transmitted by the telephoneapparatuses,

means of processing and sending signals devised so as to connect thesaid device to the Internet network and communicate with another device,

means of receiving the signals,

means of processing the signals received,

and means of signalling the setting up of the said Internet connectionto the associated apparatus.

Advantageously, the system includes means of means of [sic] voicecompression/decompression.

Also the system advantageously comprises means of creating andidentifying an appointment code in a predefined server.

Also advantageously the system includes means of connection and ofdisconnection of the switched telephone network and of the Internetnetwork, in correlation the one with the other.

Advantageously the invention also proposes a process and a system of thetype described above implementing an accelerated procedure for so-called“V23”. fast connection, V23 being a standard of the InternationalTelecommunications Union (ITU).

To do this, when connecting the first device to the switched network, aclocked frequency of 1300 Hz is transmitted which, if it is detected bythe receiving device, triggers a carrier of lower frequency, for example390 Hz.

The use of this carrier greatly speeds up the procedure.

There is also advantageously proposed a communication system,characterized in that it additionally includes fast means of connectionwhich are able to transmit and detect the clocked 1300 Hz and meanswhich are able to use a carrier wave of smaller frequency to speed upconnection.

In another advantageous embodiment the process and the system arefurther improved by providing an original means of allocating IPaddresses.

It is in fact difficult but necessary to ascertain the IP addressallocated to an Internet user.

There are in this regard chiefly two ways of accessing the Internet: apermanent connection and a so-called “dial-up” episodic connection.

In the case of a permanent connection, each machine connected has afixed and unique Internet address (IP address) within the entire world.

In the case of “dial-up” connections, the Internet access provider has arange of IP addresses which are reserved for him and which he allocatesone by one to the users who connect up. Hence, one and the same userwill therefore have a distinct IP address allocated to each of hisconnections.

The reason for this system is that the Internet addressing space iscongested and it is not possible nowadays to allocate a fixed address toeach user or item of equipment which can be connected.

In the telephony application it is necessary to ascertain the IPaddresses. This is because a user who initiates a session must havesoftware capable of contacting the other destination user, and thereforehe needs his IP address.

The currently proposed solutions consist in publishing the address in aWEB page.

Software does in fact exist which makes it possible automatically topublish the IP address of a user who connects up in a personal WEB pagefor this user, which page can then be consulted by anybody on theInternet who needs this address.

Such a system has drawbacks. Publication on a WEB page is slow andgreedy in terms of resources (data transferred and disk space on aserver). Additionally, it is not easy to automate the fetching of thisaddress for diverse applications.

Another method consists in using Internet electronic mail to exchangethe variable IP addresses, using the fixed “e-mail” addresses of theusers.

Here again there are drawbacks. The forwarding time of an e-mail istotally unforecastable and may be very long. The e-mail protocol ismoreover complex to incorporate into an arbitrary application.

The basic principle of the communication process according to theadvantageous embodiment of the invention described below is to allocatea fixed and unique serial number to any device which can be connected tothe Internet and which desires to use the protocol, and which is storedin an apparatus referred to as an “IP Finder” apparatus which isconnected to and can be interrogated via the Internet network.

As soon as a device is connected to the Internet, it despatches aninformation packet to this apparatus. This packet contains:

the IP address,

the serial number of the device,

a session number (automatically incremented by the device with eachconnection).

The term session should be understood to mean an attempted communicationbetween two devices.

When another device needs the IP address of the first device, itdespatches a packet to the IP Finder apparatus containing the serialnumber of the equipment whose IP address it seeks.

The IP Finder apparatus responds to it immediately with an informationpacket containing the sought-after IP address together with the numberof the device.

The updating of the sessions of the devices is carried out during theinitial telephone contact.

The device from which the need for connection arises in effect contacts,according to this embodiment of the invention, the destination device ina direct way and retrieves its current session number.

This exchange of sessions is carried out for example as follows:

direct telephone call and exchange of data between modems, or

direct telephone call and exchange of data in voice frequencies, or

call on a service of the radio-paging type.

In all cases, once initial contact has been set up, the destinationdevice knows that it must connect to the Internet and despatch itspacket to the IP Finder apparatus.

Advantageously, the process according to an embodiment of the inventiontherefore proposes to allocate a fixed and unique serial number to allthe devices, which number is stored in at least one connected apparatuswhich can be interrogated by the devices so as to allow the callingdevice to retrieve the IP addresses of the called devices.

Also advantageously, as soon as a device is connected to the Internet,it despatches an information packet to the said apparatus, the saidpacket containing: the IP address, the serial number of the device and asession number, and when another device needs the IP address of thefirst device, it despatches a packet to the said apparatus, and the saidapparatus responds by despatching an information packet containing thesought-after IP address as well as the number of the device.

Thus the invention proposes a system implementing one and/or the otherof the above provisions, characterized in that a fixed and unique serialnumber having been allocated to each device, it furthermore includes atleast one apparatus comprising means for storing the IP address of thedevices which connect up to the Internet network, and their serialnumber, and means for searching for and transmitting a sought-after IPaddress and the serial number of a device corresponding to the requestfrom another device.

The present invention also relates to interface devices such asdescribed with reference to the text and to the figures.

The present invention will be better understood on reading thedescription of the embodiments given below without any limitation beingimplied.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It refers to the drawings which accompany it in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the system accordingto the invention.

FIG. 2 is an operational flowchart of an embodiment of the main step ofthe process according to the invention on an analog line.

FIG. 3 is an operational flowchart of an embodiment of the main step ofthe process according to the invention on a digital line.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are block diagrams of interface devices of the inventionwhich are more particularly described here.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a system for interactive communication between two userseach using a telephone apparatus 2, 2′ of the switched network 3.

The system comprises at least two local interface devices 4, 4′ eachconnected on one side to the said switched telephone network 3 and onthe other side to the corresponding telephone apparatus 2, 2′.

Each device 4 includes means of storing and processing the datatransmitted by the telephone apparatuses, which may also and for examplebe video apparatuses 5.

The device 4 also comprises means of processing and sending signalsdevised so as to connect the device 4 to the Internet network, via aprovider of access 6 to the said Internet network 7.

Also provided is a predefined server 8 connected to the network, whichwill serve as meeting point as will be described further on withreference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 2 is an operational flowchart of the main step of connectionimplemented by the process according to the invention on an analog line.

Two modes of operation are provided, namely the automatic mode 9 or themanual mode 10.

In automatic mode the so-named “Free Talk” box or device calls thedestination “Free Talk” box or device 4′ via the switched telephonenetwork 3 (step 11).

The called device 4′ then sets up direct communication via the switchednetwork 3 with the calling device 4, for example by taking up the callif the destination user had taken his telephone set off-hook (step 12).

The two devices 4 and 4′ then exchange over the switched telephonenetwork 3 a respective appointment code relating to a predefined server8 for example of the IRC type (step 13).

The two devices 4 and 4′ then cut off direct communication via theswitched network and connect to their respective Internet accessproviders 6 and 6′ (step 14).

The two devices subsequently connect to the predefined server 8 andsearch for the agreed appointment code (step 15).

If the code is found within a predefined period (step 16), the devices 4and 4′ obtain their respective network addresses (IP) and disconnectfrom the predefined server 8.

The devices then set up communication between one another for thetelephony function according to the invention (step 18).

In the case in which the code is not found within a predefined period(step 16), a prompt indicating that the call has failed (step 19) isgiven, the user being for example forewarned by a sound signal.

The process just described with reference to FIG. 2 can also operate inmanual mode.

In this case instead of the two initial steps 11 and 12, two initialsteps 20 and 21 are provided.

During step 20, the calling user sets up an ordinary voice communicationwith the destination user via the switched telephone network 3, thenrequests mode transfer according to the invention for example byeffecting the code “###”.

The two devices then recover the voice communication in progress andenter into direct communication (step 21).

Steps 13 to 18 just described are then implemented.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the process according to the invention ona digital line in automatic mode (22) or in manual mode (23), the lattermode differing from the automatic mode in that it includes a furtherinitial step 24.

In this step the calling user sets up an ordinary voice communicationwith the destination user and then requests mode transfer according tothe invention and hangs up.

The process next comprises a step 25 in which the calling deviceconnects to the Internet network and obtains its address IP. Itsubsequently remains connected to Internet.

In the next step 26 the calling device calls the destination called boxor device directly via the switched telephone network either by usingthe second channel B or by using the mini message service.

The calling device (step 27) then transmits its address IP to thedestination device.

Thereafter (step 28) the two boxes cut off the direct communication viathe switched telephone network with one another (in the case of channelB).

The next step 29 sees the destination device connect to its customaryInternet access provider.

The destination device (step 30) then connects to the calling device orbox by virtue of the address IP obtained above.

Finally, the interface devices set up between one another thecommunication between one another for the voice telephony function (step31).

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of an interface device 4 which can be usedfor receiving or sending with digital telephone lines 40.

The device 4 includes a box 5 incorporating semiconductor means of thetype known per se, devised so as to carry out the specified functions.

The device includes a link 41 to the receiver or telephone set connectedto a telephone simulation circuit 42 known per se and connected via alink 43 to an analog digital converter system 44.

The output of the circuit 42 is moreover also connected (shunting) to avoice compression circuit 45 of known type, itself connected, via a link46, to a modem 47 known per se.

The analog digital conversion circuit 44 also connected to the modem 47is linked to an ISDN adaptation circuit or system 48 known per se, theoutput of which is connected via an interface circuit 49 with an ISDNline, to the telephone line 40.

The circuits 44, 45, 47 and 48 are connected, via a data bus 50, to arandom access memory 51, a memory of EEPROM type, or Flash EPROM 52, toa computational microprocessor 53 and for example to a display circuitand/or to a keyboard 54.

The bus is itself connected at output to a parallel or serial extensionconnector 55.

The interface device 4 furthermore includes a microphone socket 56, amicrophone 57, and a device 58 for amplifying connection to the circuitmade up of the various electronic circuits 44, 45.

A system 59 consisting of a loudspeaker socket 60 and a loudspeaker 61is also provided and connected to the output of the telephone simulationcircuit 42.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of an interface device 4 for connectionwith an analog telephone line 60.

The device 4 includes a box 5 which will act similarly to the circuitdescribed with reference to FIG. 4, a socket 41 and circuits 42, 55 and59.

A shunting device 61 makes it possible to connect the telephone setmanagement circuit 42 either to a circuit 62 for interfacing with thetelephone line, or with the voice compression device 45.

This device is connected at output to the modem 47 connectable via anamplification circuit 63 to the telephone line interface circuit.

The device 4 moreover includes as described earlier, a RAM memory 51connected via a data bus 50 to the voice compression circuit, an EPROMmemory 52, a microprocessor 53 which can drive a high-impedancelistening circuit 64 linked to the telephone line interface circuit 62.

A display/keyboard circuit 54 is also provided connected to the data bus50.

The operation of a system according to the invention in automatic modewill now be described.

The caller dials the telephone number of the destination whilesignalling to the associated device that he wishes a call via Internet,for example with the aid of a special prefix such as “###”.

He hangs up his telephone set and waits.

The device then sets up communication with the called device fullyautomatically, via the process described in detail above.

Once communication between the two devices has been set up, therespective interface devices cause their associated telephone set toring.

The users then take their telephone sets off-hook and speak.

When they have finished they hang up.

A method in so-named normal mode is also advantageously provided.

It makes it possible to be assured beforehand of the possibility of calland/or of the presence of the call destination party.

Here, the caller calls the destination in the normal way.

He is therefore assured of the presence and of the availability of thedestination party, and signals mode transfer according to the inventionthereto.

The caller then requests his device to transfer to Internet for exampleby keying a sequence of special buttons such as “###” on his telephoneset.

The calling and called devices then seize control of the telephone lineand set up communication via Internet. Meanwhile the users hang up theirset.

Once communication between the two devices has been set up, the devicescause their associated telephone sets to ring.

The users then take their telephone sets off-hook and speak.

When they have finished they hang up.

The method thus completely avoids the need to define an appointment timeand server, so as to meet up on the Internet.

In what follows and for convenience the elements of the sending deviceare referenced with numerals without any “′” (4,5, . . . ) and those ofthe receiving device with a “′” (4′,5′, . . . ).

In a particular embodiment, the first user employs an acceleratedprocedure termed “V23” fast connection so as to connect up with thesecond user while dispensing with part of the sequence for establishingcontact (sending detection of 2100 Hz).

A V23 connection thus lasts around 6 seconds reckoned from the moment atwhich the second device picked up the line, terminating for example witha message of the type “CONNECT <LINE SPEED>”.

In the mode described here, the modem of the first device is, initially,by default, in a different mode from the “V23 fast connection” mode. Tomake it enter this mode, the user executes a so-called “ATR” command,the modem additionally exiting this mode when the user hangs up thetelephone, or if the user transmits another command thereto.

More precisely, the specific procedure for programming themicroprocessor of the device is for example:

initialization of the procedure by setting the modem 47 of the sendingdevice 4 to V23 mode with a command of the type “AT+MS−3.0.1200.120032”in the so-called “AT” command language (standard command for Modem) bythe user pressing a key;

command proper of the microprocessor 53 (here termed “ATR”) making itpossible to dispense with standby and with the detection of the 2100 Hz;

dialing by the modem of the device or seizing of the line with a commandof the type “ATD<(.)TELEPHONE NUMBER” or “ATD” in the AT language;

sending of the clocked 1300 Hz;

then detection, between two sendings of the clocked 1300 Hz, of the V23carrier sent in response by the modem 47′ of the second device 4′;

if the sending device 4 detects nothing, a hang-up occurs after apredetermined time, denoted S7 (for example 130 seconds by default).

If there is detection, the device 4 sends a carrier at for example 390Hz, and transmits a connection message to the terminal (“CONNECT 75/1200in the example).

Additionally the user can at any moment interrupt fast connection forexample by despatching a character thereto.

In the embodiment described here, and for the fast connection system tooperate, it is also necessary that the second user has previously toorder at his end the modem 47′ of his device 4′ regarding 1300 Hzhigh-impedance detection, this being the rate issuing from the modem ofthe first device 4, the one calling.

An immediate acknowledgement subsequent to this command is performed bythe device 4′, whose modem 47′ eavesdrops on the high-impedance line andoperates for example as follows:

If there is detection of the clocked 1300 Hz sent by the modem 47 of thefirst device 4, the modem 47′ of the second device 4′ despatches a“DATA” message to the microprocessor 53′ and exits the eavesdroppingmode.

The microprocessor then automatically commands the modem 54′ of thesecond device automatically (ATR and ATA commands or on a single ATRAline—in the AT language) to commence the fast connection sequence inresponse mode.

The modem 54′ is then placed on standby for detection of the 390 Hz ofthe carrier in V23 call.

If the modem detects the carrier, it returns the message “CONNECT1200/75” making it possible to initiate the connection via the Internet.

If on the other hand after S7 seconds the modem 47′ has still notdetected any carrier, it returns the message “NO CARRIER”.

In the case in which the second device 4′ and its modem are in thehigh-impedance clocked 1300 Hz detection mode (eavesdropping mode) andthe second user wishes to interrupt it, it merely needs to send forexample the command “ATR2” to the modem which acknowledges and exits theeavesdropping mode.

With a fast connection protocol as described above the effectiveness ofthe system is further improved, the lag in passing to the telephonecommunication mode via the Internet being significantly reduced (of theorder of 25%).

The IP Finder apparatus will now be more particularly described.

It consists of a combination of a microprocessor, a large-capacityrandom access memory and a network interface and a mode memory or harddisk for the software.

IP Finder is connected to the Internet via its network socket (generallyan Internet socket).

Once connected to the Internet network, IP Finder carries out the IPaddress search function described in the IP Finder process and does sofor a predefined range of serial numbers.

To do this it uses for example the following method.

A random access memory block is allocated to each serial number in afixed manner so as to contain the IP address and the session number. Thesize of this block is for example in the case of a session number on onebyte and of an IP address on 4 bytes a total of 5 bytes.

The total capacity of the random access memory therefore determines thebreadth of the range of serial numbers which a single IP Finderapparatus will be capable of managing.

For example in the case of a memory with 128 megabytes the apparatuswill be able to manage a range of 24 bits of serial numbers, i.e. around16 million devices, without any problem.

The apparatus will merely have to multiply the serial number received by5 to obtain the address of the memory block assigned to this number.Thus, the processing of enquiries is extremely simple and fast and astraightforward standard microcomputer processor can largely respond tothe simultaneous requests from even a large number of items ofequipment.

The method for determining the device to be contacted depending on thecomplete serial number is for example as follows:

The high-order bytes of the serial number (beyond the range manageddirectly by a single device) are converted into hexadecimal andincorporated into a domain name which will be that of the devicemanaging this range.

For example, if the serial number (in hexadecimal) is 00.03.C2 12.23.55the domain name associated with the device will for example be“ip_finder_(—)0003com”. This domain name will provide access to the IPFinder apparatus responsible for the serial number range beginning with0003.

In this way it is sufficient to add an IP Finder apparatus for each newrange as and when serial numbers are allocated.

The advantages of the communication process and of the system when theyare supplemented with the IP Finder apparatus are as follows:

The system and the process of the invention become extremely fast.Normally only 4 packets are exchanged in all for a session.

They require little passband, need no resource from the existing servers(WEB e-mail etc.), and are moreover fully automatic and easy toincorporate into any application on account of their great simplicity.

With the embodiment of the invention described more particularly, thedestination party therefore has nothing particular to do other than toanswer the telephone normally.

Likewise no particular logistic support, of the hardware type, nospecific billing of calls on the part of Internet access providers arenecessary, this being unlike the method which consists in having thedestination party called via his local access provider or a server.

Neither does the method according to the invention require any routingsystem or destination table, the straightforward telephone number of thedestination party being sufficient.

Moreover the process according to the invention is independent of theInternet access provider of the destination party, who can thereforechange it as he pleases without hampering operation.

Thus, the method of the invention is immediately applicable throughoutthe entire world without requiring any change of configuration orlogistics of the access providers, and all the possessors of a deviceaccording to the invention can immediately be called by all the otherswithout any need for configuration or for updating of tables.

The user can use the system in almost as straightforward a way as theordinary telephone. Of course the invention is usable with telephoneapparatuses other than handsets, such as fax machines for example, isnot limited to telephone communication between two parties, but can copewith several parties communicating simultaneously and, more generally,is not limited to the embodiments more particularly described here buton the contrary embraces all variants thereof which come within theframework of equivalences.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for communicating between at least twousers each furnished with a telephone apparatus of a switched telephonenetwork, via the Internet network, each telephone apparatus beingdirectly connected locally to an associated interface device, the methodcomprising: dialing, by a first user using the switched telephonenetwork, a telephone number of a second user using a first telephoneapparatus, signalling to a first interface device to perform a hang-upand reconnection operation via the Internet network with the secondinterface device, performing, under control of the first interfacedevice the hang-up and reconnection operation to establish communicationwith the second interface device via the Internet network, signalling,via each interface device that the hang-up and reconnection operationhas completed, and communicating between the first and second users viathe Internet network, wherein the step of signaling the first interfacedevice comprises exchanging a respective appointment code relating to apredefined server via the switched telephone network, and wherein thestep of performing the hang-up and reconnection operation comprisescutting direct communication via the switched telephone network,connecting the first and second interface devices via the Internetnetwork to the predefined server, searching for the appointment code;and establishing communication between the users via the said Internetnetwork using a result of the search.
 2. The method according to claim1, further comprising hanging up a corresponding telephone apparatusimmediately after having signalled to the associated interface device toperform the hang-up and reconnection operation.
 3. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein the step of signaling the first interface devicecomprises signaling the first and second interface devices to exchangehang-up and reconnection information over the switched telephonenetwork; and communicating the information between the first and secondinterface devices.
 4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the stepof performing the hang-up and reconnection operation comprises:connecting the first interface device to the Internet network,obtaining, by the first interface device, a network address of the firstinterface device while remaining connected to the Internet network,communicating the network address to the second device via the switchedtelephone network disconnecting the first and second interface devicesfrom the switched telephone network, connecting the second interfacedevice connects to a corresponding Internet network access provider; andsetting up the communication with the first interface device by virtueof the network address obtained previously via the switched telephonenetwork.
 5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the step ofcommunicating between the first and second users comprises communicatingby voice.
 6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the step ofcommunicating between the first and second users comprises communicatingby video.
 7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:transmitting, when connecting the first interface device to the switchednetwork, a clocked frequency of 1300 Hz; and triggering, by the secondinterface device, a carrier of lower frequency upon detection of theclocked frequency.
 8. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising storing a serial number in each interface device to identifyit.
 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the step of performingthe hang-up and reconnection operation comprises registering, via theInternet network, an IP address, serial number and session number of acorresponding interface device with a server connected to the Internetnetwork.
 10. The method according to claim 9, further comprisingupdating the session number of the first and second interface devicesdirectly via the switched network.